"Under unfinished business, I'd like to congratulate the third-years on an expert mauling of the Gryffindors after Care of Magical Creatures, in particular Beth who punched a Weasley twin and followed it up with scrambled eggs. It may not help our reputation much, but it sure looked like fun."
Beth hid her face as the SSA laughed at Richard's announcement. By this time, the meetings in the Vase Room were an ingrained part of her life, and she felt as welcome in the group as she ever had with anyone else.
"Hufflepuff match on Saturday," Uther reported easily. "We'll ace 'em for sure."
Jerome interrupted suddenly. He had started coming to the meetings now that the first-years could be counted on to not get homesick in the middle of the night. "That reminds me. I got a letter from Ace Arendt. He's graduating this year, wants to come back to England afterwards. He wanted to know if we could use the Ledger to find him a former member that's hiring folks who specialize in manipulating light."
Riggs nodded brusquely and patted the Ledger that sat on its podium in front of him. "I'll get on it."
"Great," Richard beamed. "How's your project coming, Dell?"
"I'm getting closer," Daedalus replied, bright with excitement. "I'm just about failing Astronomy for it, but don't worry -- by the end of the year."
Melissa cast a glance at Beth and rolled her eyes with a grin. They were both resigned to not knowing what exactly Daedalus was trying to do.
From his post behind the Ledger, Riggs spoke up. "We still don't know what the cerberus is guarding."
The SSA members shuffled around guiltily.
"There's no good time to sneak around and it's been there for months, without us finding out about why it's there. We need to ask the Baron."
Silence.
"We could try again some night," Vivian offered meekly.
"Or send a search party along with guards to keep folks out." Uther looked grim.
Richard cleared his throat. "He's right though. It's been too long, and the danger's still unknown ... I'll do it."
Vivian put a hand on his arm worriedly. "Really, Rich, you don't have to."
"It's not worth it," Daedalus agreed, his face drawn.
Bruce met Beth's eyes with a concerned look. She shrugged discreetly.
"Yes, it is," Richard disagreed. "We'll get what we need quickly, and we don't have to face the cerberus or whatever's behind it."
Uther exchanged a concerned look with Vivian. "All right then, but take care of yourself, will you, old chap?"
Richard grinned disarmingly, but Beth thought he looked a little peaked. "Don't worry, the living are always tougher than the dead."
"But the living have more to lose," said Daedalus.
Over the weekend, the school turned out to watch the Hufflepuff/Slytherin Quidditch match. As Uther had predicted, it ended up being a massacre in favor of the Slytherins -- not very suspenseful, perhaps, but it was always worth watching the Hufflepuffs take a beating. They usually tried so hard to succeed that it was funny when they failed.
Even better, this victory thrust the Slytherins into first place for the Quidditch cup. "If the Gryffindors lose to the Ravenclaws," Aaron Pucey explained excitedly on the way to dinner, "and neither of them gets over two hundred and twenty points, we come out on top again."
"They're about the same level," Bruce agreed thoughtfully. "Maybe they'll balance each other out. Make it a no-goals game."
"Nah, the Ravenclaw Keeper's no good. Someone's bound to score."
The Quidditch team, chattering about their favorite sport, went to one end of the table. Beth, feeling suddenly out of place in the company of all boys, joined the SSA at the other end.
Richard came and sat down as they ate. He had large dark rings under each eye that seemed even worse against his unusually pale face. Beth couldn't remember ever seeing him look that drained. She opened her mouth to ask, but stern glances from the rest of the SSA kept her silent.
"How's it going, Richard?" Vivian asked grimly, her voice a low undertone.
"Fine ... two more days..." Richard murmured woozily. He reached for the bowl of oatmeal, missing the handle of the serving ladle several times before finally managing to scoop it into his plate. As he reached out, the sleeve of his robes fell back, revealing a series of thick, diagonal slashes on his arm. He pushed the sleeves back up and struggled to pour molasses on his breakfast, but not before Beth let out a quick gasp at the sight of the wounds.
Melissa looked alarmed. "You can't go on like that!" she exclaimed. "Really, it's not worth -- oof!" She broke off suddenly and clutched her side. To her left, Daedalus wore an expression that was in parts exasperated and smug.
"A whole week ... it must be something of enormous value," Vivian reasoned quietly. "I've never heard of the Baron wanting a week."
"He'll be fine," said Uther heartily, except his ruddy face looked worried. "Only two more days, right, Rich?"
There was no answer. Richard had fallen asleep in his oatmeal.
The SSA was silent that Thursday, as they gathered in Vase Room one by one. Richard was noticeably absent. Vivian began the meeting.
"All right, let's start then. Finals are coming up, good luck to everyone, do the house proud. Gloria serpens. Riggs and Uther have O.W.L.s in a few weeks, and Jerome said he'll be taking the N.E.W.T.s -- that's where he is now, out studying for them."
"So he says," sniggered Uther. The Ordinary Wizarding Levels and Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Levels were serious, but Jerome was generally not. Besides, he spent a lot of his time these days with a sixth-year Ravenclaw named Aurora.
"None of that," Vivian reprimanded. She continued in a businesslike tone. "We've got a good shot at the Quidditch cup, which means we'll probably take the House Cup again too. Now's the time to seal the victory. Answer questions, play teacher's-pet, do odd jobs without asking. That's the kind of thing that really --"
She broke off.
The door creaked open and Richard staggered into the Vase Room, his mouth twisted in pain. "I've got it, he's told me, I know what's in the corridor," he gasped. Looking alarmed, Uther and Daedalus stood and started towards him. "I've got it, you'll never believe..." He lurched further into the room. Then he gulped in a breath of air; his eyes rolled skyward; and he collapsed into Uther's arms.
A few minutes later, once he had been laid on Vivian's divan and doused repeatedly with cold water, Richard opened his eyes muggily. "Guess ... guess what I found out..." he murmured, but Melissa held him down and poured water down his throat until he had regained some of his color. Then she made him lay there quietly until Vivian had retrieved a hunk of chocolate from their first-aid kit. It was only after he started to look alert that Melissa let him speak.
"He's known all year what the cerberus is guarding," Richard said bitterly. "Dogs can't harm the dead, of course. Lousy ghost." Beth glanced over her shoulder, feeling like the Baron would be hovering there in stained robes. "We were right, it's very valuable -- and very rare. The only one of its kind, actually."
"RICHARD, JUST GET TO THE POINT!" Vivian cried suddenly. Beth noticed that her teeth were tightly clenched.
Richard drew a breath. "Somehow, someone has created a Sorcerer's Stone."
The oldest SSA members gaped. Beth threw a glance at Melissa, who met her gaze with a worried shrug. Daedalus saw them.
"It's been the goal of alchemists for centuries," he said quietly. "It can turn lead into gold."
"And it can be used to make a potion that will keep you alive forever," Vivian added, sounding awed.
"You could use some of that," said Melissa, frowning at Richard.
Richard shook her comment off. "Now we need to find out why it's here at Hogwarts."
Beth felt her mouth open and words come out of their own accord. "Because Gringott's isn't safe."
The SSA turned to her in astonishment. "Not safe?" Vivian said disbelievingly. "It's the safest place in England."
"No." Beth shook her head. "They were broken into over the summer. Someone walked through the walls. He almost ran me over trying to get out."
"She's right," Riggs added suddenly. "It was in the Daily Prophet."
"You and the Prophet," Richard said as if exasperated, but he was grinning. "What did they take?"
"They didn't get anything," Beth supplied, almost astounded at her own recall. "A wizard who works there told me that the vault was empty."
"Now that's interesting," Vivian said, while Daedalus let out a low whistle. "Couldn't have been that .. no, impossible."
Daedalus gave her a half-grin. "Never impossible. Could he have been after the Stone, and gotten there too late, after it was already at Hogwarts?"
Richard nodded, lips pursed. "Maybe. We can't make that assumption, though. For now, all we know is that the Stone was moved to a safer place. Was it because of the break-in, or because of its value?" He closed his eyes thoughtfully. "A new challenge for the Society. Who would want the Stone?"
Vivian laughed, and Daedalus let out a groan. "Come on, Rich," Vivian giggled. "Everyone wants a Sorcerer's Stone."
Richard smiled half-heartedly and opened his eyes. "That's what's going to make this a tough job."
For several days after Richard's encounter with the Baron, the SSA busied itself with studying up on the Sorcerer's Stone. Beth immersed herself in a long, droning book about the many elements that had to be considered in the creation of one: Bruce found a leather-bound booklet about possible substitutes, including a potion to make things look like they turned into gold and alternate recipes for immortality. They stayed up late that Saturday night, reading in the common room, and sharing marshmallows toasted over the fire. It was nearly three o'clock by the time they parted ways and headed back to their dormitories.
When Beth came down to breakfast the next morning, there was a big crowd of people standing and sitting around the person of Draco Malfoy. Intrigued, Beth and the group joined them.
"What's this?" she whispered to Vivian, who stood near the back.
"Draco and some of the Gryffindor firsties got caught out last night after curfew," she murmured back. "Check the hourglasses."
Beth threw a glance over her shoulder at the big hourglasses that kept track of house points. It looked like someone had taken huge handfuls out of the Gryffindors' glass; they had dropped one hundred and fifty points, to take last place. Beth let out a little whoop of excitement.
"... and they had the nerve to give me a detention along with the Gryffindors -- the ones who broke the rules in the first!" Draco fumed from the center of the little gathering. "I have to do detention at midnight. Midnight!"
"McGonagall is never fair," Melissa agreed in a placating tone.
"Maybe not, but she did good by us this time!" a seventh-year exclaimed. "A hundred fifty from her own house! I could kiss her!"
"Don't, she'll turn back to a toad," someone else said. They roared with laughter. Glancing over her shoulder, Beth could see some of the other students regard their group nervously.
"Who was it?" Blaise Zabini, one of the first-year girls, asked.
Draco puffed out his chest. "The famous Harry Potter and his hero-worshipping friends, that's who. Breaking rules all year, they finally got their due!"
"Famous Harry Potter," Vivian repeated. "Sounds like the Sorting Hat was right about him after all."
Aaron Pucey elbowed into the group, grinning broadly. "Hey Viv, how many Gryffindors does it take to light up a wand?"
"How many?"
"Just one, but he has to do it illegally after curfew to make it seem worthwhile."
More laughter. Beth joined in, but she found herself thinking that it would be nice, for once, to laugh with her friends without getting dirty looks from the rest of the student body.
The incredible leap to first place buoyed the Slytherin's spirits for more than a week. Richard actually cancelled one of the SSA meeting to "give us a chance to celebrate as a whole house". The fact was enough to stop even the most consistent whiner.
"Those stupid crystal balls give me headaches," Melissa griped after Divination, on the way to Transfiguration.
"At least we've got the House Cup," Bruce said brightly, "if no one screws up too badly."
"Good of the Gryffindor firsties to win it for us," added Melissa nastily. "Speak of the losers, here they come now. Good job, Potter, we owe you one!" she cried, reaching across the hall to tousle his hair. He ducked her hand and hurried past, dark head bent in a glower.
"They never appreciate a compliment, those Gryffindors," Beth remarked, grinning after him. A couple of passing Ravenclaws glared at her.
Their hateful gaze did not escape Bruce. "What would it be like," he began bitterly, "to be in one of the other three houses, and have a common enemy?"
Beth fell silent, but Melissa only snorted. "And to be in classes full of unmotivated mudbloods who will never amount to anything? They're all just jealous that we build our own futures."
"Easy on the 'mudblood'," Beth snapped.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I meant, you know, the others."
"Right."
Melissa stopped in the middle of the hall and gave Beth a hug. "Really, I didn't mean it. You're one of us, you know. Come on, what did the Hat say when you got Sorted?"
Beth forgave her and they started walking again. "It said three things. One, that I go after what I want. Two, that I get along best with people with drive."
They turned into the classroom and threw their bookbags under their desks. "What was third?" asked Bruce, as sat in their traditional spots.
Beth laughed. "It said, 'Well, it's certainly going to be interesting when you figure that out.'"
"Never trust anything that can read your mind," Melissa prophesied. "It told me I'd rather die than be humbled. How ridiculous is that?"
"Insane," Beth agreed, tongue in cheek.
"Can't fathom it," Bruce seconded sarcastically.
Melissa flushed brightly. "Well, what was it for you, Bruce?" she asked sharply.
Feeling the heat from the spotlight of conversation, Bruce ducked his head shyly. "Not a whole lot. Found out about the languages thing, said that I'd work 'til I died to reach my goals. Something like that."
Aaron came into class and sat beside Bruce. "What, you're talking about the Sorting Hat?" he asked merrily. "Know what it said for me? 'You're mean and rotten, everybody hates you, and you're going to grow up to be a heartless Death Eater who tortures children, think I'll make you a Slytherin.'"
Beth gaped, and then started to laugh as she realized that Aaron was joking. "Don't say it too loud, everybody else'll believe you," she warned.
"'Oh yeah, and you're good at Quidditch and you'll never lose your house a hundred and fifty points, so you'd better not be in Gryffindor either'," Aaron added wickedly.
Just then McGonagall entered, carrying a cage full of newts. She flicked her wand to the fireplace; it roared to life. "Take your seats," she ordered sternly. "Today we will be changing newts into salamanders -- consider it a dress rehearsal for your final exam, which will be held the Friday after next. And no extensions," she added, looking at Mervin who goggled at her in terror. "If you study up and practice diligently, I'm sure you will all make a fine showing."
"I don't want to make a fine showing, I want to pass," muttered Bruce.
"And pass you shall, Mr. Bletchley, if you stop talking to your friends in class," McGonagall said coldly. She was handing out newts and stood over Bruce like a tall, spindly bat. Somewhat cowed, Bruce took his newt humbly.
The lesson dealt with changing a nonmagical creature into a magical one; it involved plenty of complex charms and spells. When each newt had been converted, McGonagall threw it into the fire, where it climbed about happily if the transfiguration was successful and burst into flame if it wasn't. Only about half the newts lived.
"Well, you still have time," McGonagall sighed, as the bell to change classes rang. The Slytherins bolted from the classroom.
"Wonder when Draco's doing his detention?" Beth said, as they headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Tonight," said Melissa, looking pleased with herself for knowing. "They've got to go into the Forbidden Forest."
Bruce stopped. "So -- they broke the rules, so they can go a place they're normally not allowed in?"
They looked at each other. "Gryffindors," they said together, and went off to class.